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Obituary - Billy McPhee

It was with great sadness that we learned of the passing of club legend Billy McPhee.

Born in Methil in June 1949, the son of an East Fife supporting father, he watched his older brother Bobby turn out in the black and gold for two years. 

In October 1966 Rangers manager Scot Symon signed McPhee from Bowhill Youth Club. After three first team outings for the Ibrox club, peculiarly all against Partick Thistle, McPhee returned to Fife, putting pen to paper for his home town club in July 1970. Manager Bill Baxter had high hopes that the squad he had assembled would be the one to bring topflight football back to Bayview for the first time in thirteen years. McPhee made his debut in a League Cup sectional tie at Queen of the South and opened his goal scoring account in the same competition against the familiar opposition of Partick Thistle at Firhill. With East Fife flying high at the top of the league it came as some surprise when Bill Baxter controversially resigned to join rivals Raith Rovers in October, although the Methil men had the last laugh as they secured promotion at the end of the campaign under the stewardship of Pat Quinn, finishing six places above the Kirkcaldy side. McPhee finished top scorer with 26 goals, mostly delivered via a left foot that was fast becoming a lethal weapon.

The Fifers took time to adjust to life in the First Division but rallied to put in some spirited performances, none more so than the 2-1 defeat of a multi-talented Hibernian side in January 1972. McPhee opened the scoring with a trademark curling free-kick to set up a memorable victory in front of an 8,000 Bayview crowd. Another long-range strike in the penultimate game at St Johnstone gave the Methil men a precious victory, before the Houdini act to avoid relegation was completed the following week with a 1-1 draw at Motherwell. 

1972-73 saw a more confident East Fife side emerge, reaching the League Cup quarter finals after knocking out holders Partick Thistle and finishing in a commendable ninth position in the league to earn a place in the Texaco Cup against their English counterparts. The season will also be remembered for a remarkable 2-2 draw at Bayview with Jock Stein’s Celtic. McPhee put the Fifers 2-1 ahead from the spot just after the break and helped them withstand a green and white siege, with keeper Ernie McGarr saving three penalties, until a late Dixie Deans equaliser earned the Parkhead men a draw. McPhee was ever present in a campaign that saw him find the net on 19 occasions.

Unfortunately, the following season was to prove a disappointment. Pat Quinn was replaced by Frank Christie as manager after a poor start but despite some good results on the road, including an astonishing 1-0 win at Ibrox, the Fifers’ home form deserted them. East Fife were left to rue those points shipped at Bayview when Clyde gained unlikely draws against Hibernian and Hearts to consign the Fifers to relegation and the Second Division on goal difference.   

McPhee, having finished top goalscorer in four consecutive seasons (he shared this honour with Kevin Hegarty in 1973-74), was to suffer a serious setback to his football career in November 1974. Returning to Fife from a 1-0 win at Hamilton Accies he was involved in a car accident which left him out of action for five months with a dislocated hip. In his absence the Fifers achieved their goal of qualifying for the newly formed First Division although they dropped from league leaders to a more modest fifth position.

The following season, with McPhee back in the starting berth found East Fife in the lower reaches of the table. In the Spring Cup, a competition for teams outwith the topflight, a McPhee bullet helped defeat runaway First Division winners Partick Thistle and earn a place in the quarter finals. It was to be his last goal for the club. 1976-77 saw him operating in a midfield role in a season disrupted by injuries. The Fifers found themselves embroiled in a relegation battle with St Johnstone and Raith Rovers which went down to the last game of the season. 

With Falkirk already relegated East Fife went to Boghead knowing a win would secure their First Division status. McPhee, who had earlier been given a free transfer came on from the bench knowing that this would be his farewell appearance. The Fifers were trailing 2-1 with just over 20 minutes left on the clock but goals from Billy Gillies and John Huskie put them in front. The drama continued when Dumbarton scored again with five minutes remaining to level matters at 3-3. On reaching the dressing room however news came through that Raith Rovers had lost 4-3 at home to Morton. East Fife were safe, for another season at least, but McPhee had played his last game for the club after seven years sterling service. 

After a year at Berwick Rangers McPhee became manager of Leven Juniors. He later returned to East Fife as club secretary and has remained in the Levenmouth area as mine host in various licensed premises. He continued to attend Bayview on a regular basis, always taking time to sit down and chat to supporters, sharing stories about his footballing career.

Billy McPhee scored 72 goals in 233 appearances for East Fife and in 2008 was voted into the post 1970’s All Time Greats team, a fitting tribute to a Bayview legend.     

East Fife Football Club would like to pass on our sincere condolences to Billy’s family and friends at this sad time. 

Match Preview - Bonnyrigg Rose

Oli Anderson previews tonight’s match against Bonnyrigg Rose.

After an emphatic victory at the weekend, we return to action already, as we gear up to venture to the outskirts of the capital, facing Bonnyrigg Rose at New Dundas Park. Despite last week’s superb performance, the game tonight will most certainly be an uphill battle ;).

Goals from Trouten and Walls in the first ten minutes gave the Fifers an early lead at the weekend, which they never looked back from, when we slaughtered Clyde in their own back garden, in what felt like true redemption for last season’s playoff woes. Summer signings Austin and Docherty both added to the tally in the second half ensuring a happy journey back to Methil for the Fifers.

Bonnyrigg lost out to Forfar Athletic on Saturday, falling 2-0 at New Dundas Park. Mark Whatley put the Loons ahead after 37 minutes, and Ryan Paterson added a second with 10 minutes to go, seeing the Rosey Posey get further cut adrift from the promotion playoff places.

The Standings

Across the League Last Week

Bonnyrigg Rose 0-2 Forfar Athletic

Clyde 0-4 East Fife

Dumbarton 1-0 Elgin City

Stranraer 0-3 Stenhousemuir

The Spartans 1-2 Peterhead

This Evening’s Games

Bonnyrigg Rose vs East Fife

Elgin City vs Forfar Athletic

The Form

The Hosts

Bonnyrigg count just 2 wins in their last 6, one of which coming against Fraserburgh in the Scottish Cup, as they were taken to extra time by the non-league side. Their other win came the week prior, as a second half turnaround saw them bed rock bottom Clyde.

Their draw came against The Spartans almost 6 weeks ago, when the first Edinburgh derby of the season finished 2-2 at Ainslie Park. The Spartans did well to answer back twice in 10 minutes, to recover a two goal deficit inflicted by Bonnyrigg.

Their three losses have come back-to-back-to-back, in the last three weeks, as they have failed to score too. Firstly, they endured Saturday’s defeat to Forfar, before the week prior they fell to Elgin City 2-0 at Borough Briggs. These two defeats however have actually been an improvement over the week before, at least on the scoreline. This is because the Rosey Posey were totally picked apart by Dumbarton, falling 4-0 to the Sons.

The Fife

Thanks to Saturday’s result we now hold the same form as Bonnyrigg. 2 wins, 1 draw and 3 losses.

Our 2 wins are both 4-0 batterings, with our victims being Clyde and Stranraer before them.

Our draw was a great fight against Cymru League Champions The New Saints, who we lost out to on penalties in the Last 16 of the SPFL Trust Trophy.

Our losses came as two 1-0s on the Road, against Dunbar in the Scottish Cup and Dumbarton in the league. We also fell 2-0 to Peterhead a fortnight ago.

Previous Encounter

When the sides last faced, at the end of last season, we shared the spoils in a game where a point took us one step closer to the playoffs, and Bonnyrigg one step closer to safety.

A quiet first half was met with a more eventful second period. We took the lead through Trouten after 57 minutes, though a spurred on Rosey Posey side nabbed an equaliser 15 minutes later, ensuring that both sides shared the spoils.

Squad News

Outs- Liam Newton continues to sadly miss out due to injury. Alan Trouten is available, though will miss the game next weekend due to an accumulation of bookings.

Ins- Jack Healy is back from suspension, after missing Saturday’s game.

Team Colours

East Fife will don the 120^th anniversary kit tonight, with white shorts and black socks, while the goalkeeper will be clad in all blue.

Bonnyrigg will be in their traditional red and white hoops with red socks and shorts.

Match Admission

Admission for tonight’s game is exclusively pay at the gate, though both cash and card are accepted at the gate.

Please find match prices below:

Adult- £14

Concessions (+65/Disabled/Carer)- £9

Under 16s- £5

Under 12s go FREE (With a paying adult)

Programmes

Programmes will be available for sale at the summit of New Dundas Park for £2, and half time 50/50 draw tickets are available for £1 a pop.

Live Stream

Live Streaming of the game will be available on PPV for viewers worldwide curtesy of Rose TV for £10. Overseas supporters can watch the match on East Fife TV through a monthly or season pass.

Officials

The on-pitch official on Saturday will be Greg Soutar while his assistants running the line are Calum Doyle and James McCluskey.

MON THE FIFE!

Match Report - Clyde

Clyde 0-4 East Fife, Saturday 18^th November 2023

New Douglas Park, cinch League Two

East Fife romped to their 3rd League win, and 2nd 4-0 win of the season on Saturday, as they eased past bottom side Clyde. It was a true 6 pointer, as a loss for the Fife would have seen them caught by the Bully Wee. It was clear that the Methil Men knew this however, and they coasted through the game, putting in a much-improved performance from what we have seen, for the most part, so far season.

We started fast, and with a bang, as inside 4 minutes, the Fifers should have had a penalty. Alan Trouten was completely cleared out inside the 18-yard box, although the referee adjudged that there was no foul and allowed play to continue. This, however, was all for naught, as we took the lead two minutes later through the Trout, without the need of the penalty spot.

Jack Leighfield failed to effectively clear his lines and fed the Fash on the edge of the area. Austin tried to let it go first time, though it was caught in the Clyde wall. It only got as far as Trouten though, who (with his back to goal) managed to flick the ball over Leighfield and into the back of the net. 1-0 Fife. 

Despite our quick start, we were nearly pegged back instantly. Forbes had a dig from the back post, although it was kept out by a fantastic point-blank save from Allan Fleming in the East Fife goal.

A further five minutes later, East Fife did the unthinkable, and went two goals ahead on the road for the first time in competitive action since October 2022. Brogan Walls found himself waiting in the area to receive a Ryan Schiavone cutback, after the winger outmuscled his full back. The ball slid back, Walls met it (scoring his first of the season), and East Fife doubled their lead. Bosh.

We then took a break in the action as it became abundantly clear that this game was only going to go one way. Firstly, after 34 minutes, Trouten was denied by Leighfield, after his half volley was well saved. Five minutes later, Austin had his chance to make it three, but once again, Leighfield did equally well, this time tipping it around the post.

That saw us into half time, cruising, two goals up at New Douglas Park.

East Fife had to do some defending early in the second period, denying Rennie from the byline on the 55th minute mark.

After 63 minutes, the game was well and truly sealed the game, a milestone for the club and for the individual scorer. Gregor Nicol worked well on the wing and slung in a belter of a cross for Fash. The Methil man, born and bred, burst the net, reaching his half a century of goals in the process. 

A special mention has to be given to East Fife’s Number 9, as Scott Shepherd ran himself into the ground for the Fifers, yet again on Saturday, with his work off the ball and, in my humble opinion, being one of the highlights of the season so far. 

On top of this, Under 20s forward Brendan Ramsay came on off the bench with five minutes on the clock, and in his brief spell on the park looked more than up to the task, showing quick feet and a desire to play the ball forward.

Sadly for Brendan, his substitution into the game was not the best part of the last 5 minutes of the game, as Sean Docherty decided to abandon ship at the back with a matter of seconds on the regulation clock, and became a fox in the box. It was a matter of right place at the right time for Docherty who’s calm finish was akin to that of a prime Dimitar Berbatov. He knew what he was doing, and why he was there, handing East Fife their first away win in the league since March of this year. 

We have a midweek game as our next fixture, as we travel into the outskirts of the capital to face Bonnyrigg Rose. A win against the Rosey Posey will see us move within 4 points of the playoff places, which is quite remarkable considering our start to the season.

Report by Oli Anderson

Clyde – Leighfield, P Grant, Dunachie, Hynes, Lyon, Carswell (Sula 73’), Forbes (Cameron 65’), Stevenson, King, Scullion, Rennie (Lesley 65’). Subs not used: Parry, Craig, R Grant, Mulvanny, Gunn, McCullock.

East Fife – Fleming, Murdoch, Page, Docherty, Easton, McManus (Slattery 73’), Schiavone (Nicol 60’), Trouten, Walls (Millar 60’), Shepherd (Ramsay 84’), Austin (Mitchell 73’). Subs not used: Murray, Rollo, Comerford.

Referee – Stewart Luke

Attendance - 641